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Google files complaint against YouTube domain typo squatter
24.11.2011
Google files complaint against YouTube domain typo squatter
Google is tackling a domain squatter who is using a number of variations of the web address YouTube.com to try and trick people into taking a survey scam.
Fusible reports that Google filed a complaint with the National Arbitration Forum this week over someone who registered the domain names youtbe.com, youtub.com, youtue.com, youube.com and yutube.com.
All of these names are registered to the same person, who is using them to trick users who incorrectly type in the address for YouTube into taking a scam survey.
The fake sites use a similar logo to YouTube and attempts to gather personal information from the user, promising free gifts in return.
Domain squatters often register typos from popular websites as domain names to lure users who type their intended URL incorrectly.
The National Arbitration Forum will examine if the domain name is confusingly similar to a trademarked name, if the owner of the fake YouTube domain names has no rights over them and if the domain name is being used in 'bad faith.' If it falls under all three of these stipulations, these domain names will be passed over to Google.